Historical Marker

Admiral Claude C. Bloch

The career of this naval officer spanned Spanish-American War and World Wars I and II. A native of Butler County, he attended public schools and Ogden College in Bowling Green; graduated from Annapolis, 1899. Assumed command of USS Plattsburg in 1918; received the Navy Cross for hazardous transporting of troops and supplies to Europe.

(Reverse) Admiral Claude C. Bloch - Bloch's duties included Commander, Mine Force, Pacific Fleet; Chief of Staff to Commander, Battleship Divisions; Chief of Bureau of Ordnance-all in 1920s; Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, 1938-40; Commandant of 14th Naval Dist. at Pearl Harbor, 1940-42. As chairman of Navy Board for industrial production awards, he was given Legion of Merit. Retired, 1945.